Still in Active Pursuit

Since we are only 12 days into the new year, it shouldn't be a surprise that I am still in active pursuit of my new year goals.  In some I am doing better than others, but in none have I given up completely.

With regards to reading, I finished one audio book Flying Through Midnight by John Halliday.  I very much enjoyed it because it gave me more perspective on some of the special operations activities along the wartime Ho Chi Minh Trail that ran along the border of Vietnam and Laos.  Since it is written in a first person narrative with an interesting story behind it, it wasn't dry and hard to listen to, though I must admit my interest built as I neared the end of the book and the author's story moved towards the climax.  John Halliday was an aircraft commander of C-123's flying in the 606th Special Operations Squadron out of Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand.  His story was captivating, and it was well worth the time I spent listening.

I would like to explain a little more about my reading resolution since this is my blog and I have the time.  I have read a little bit about the benefits of listening to audio books. Though many traditionalists may scoff at those who listen to books rather than read them, I can say I get as much - if not more - out of listening.  I would also like to say, from my perspective, in the last two years or more that I have been listening to audio books, my listening and retention skills have improved.  Initially, I lamented the drawbacks of listening to books; the difficulties of going back to previous pages or chapters to affirm or refute something I read.  While I have found no easy way to get around that, I do feel like I am getting better at retention and find myself less inclined to refer back to previous pages and chapters as I had in the past.  The benefits for me in listening to audio books lie in the ability to "read" at times that I wouldn't have been able to in the past:  when walking to work, on public transportation, and when on road trips on roads that would make me car sick if I tried to read a hard  or soft copy. In my time-crunched world, these time blocks are very valuable in that I can accomplish two things at once.  For the record, I do have a digital book I am working through at the moment.  When I finish, I will talk about it a little.

Another thing about my reading right now is where I am getting my books.  I have a Fairfax County library card that allows me to read and listen to thousands of contemporary and classic books.  I use Libby and RBDigital apps to borrow the books, and extend the loan when needed.  These apps usually sync across devices and allow me to download the books to read or listen to when I am not able to get a wi-fi or cell data signal.  The public library is one of the few perks that I get my money's worth from my local taxes.

As far as my exercise resolution, I must admit that I am behind on this one, but I have made some improvements.  I was able to run half a dozen times since the new year for at least thirty minutes without stopping. This, while I was performing temporary duty and staying in a hotel, rather than at home.  I am still slow and not up to the four full hours per week I committed to, but I am definitely doing something more than before, and I am progressing to meet my goal.

I also started a course to learn the programming language Python.  I registered on edX.org (an online site that allows you to audit Massive Online Open Courses, known as MOOCs, for free).  I haven't spent as much time as I would have liked on the course to date, but I am plodding along at an acceptable rate at the moment.

Finally, I just got back from seven days of temporary duty, as I mentioned above, in a place I definitely wouldn't want to live. It's very nice to be home. Here's hoping the routines will solidify while my home life is stabilized!